[Match Thread] Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka: 1st Test | Harare

[Jemisi]

Yes Cremer

[brmtaylor.com admin]

Cremer's a gun
Imagine how good his stats would be if he had some support at the other end.

[eugene]

My prediction of an innings victory is looking a bit ambitious at this stage.

[brmtaylor.com admin]

I was pretty impressed with what I saw from Mpofu. I don't remember him ever looking this threatening before - pace and bounce. He was pretty consistently mid to high 130s and getting some good bounce especially around the wicket.

Tiripano solid from what I saw. You know what you're going to get from him, even though he doesn't pose too much of a threat. He's a poor mans Peter Siddle IMO, but without the benefit of pressure being built from the other end.

Mumba a bit up and down. If only Williams held on to that catch, it would have been great for his confidence.

Cremer had a pretty good day all things considered. A bit expensive, but he's always in with a shout.

Overall our seam bowling is a real problem. When we beat Pakistan it was with Chatara, Vitori and Panyangara. TC/BV both capable of 140, BV capable of getting genuine swing, TP the workhorse. Is it any surprise that TC and BV both got 5-fers. Big difference to the bowling attack we have today... head to head each of todays seamers is an inferior bowler to those in that 2013 Test unfortunately.

Bottom line, we've got to unearth a scary fast bowler from somewhere. A big guy who comes in at 145 and can beat the batsman with pace, bowl great bouncers and be a genuine strike bowler. Who cares if he gets hit around and goes at 4+ an over if he can deliver wickets.

[jaybro]

Didn't get to watch any of it so can someone fill me in ?

What's the pitch doing ?

How did Mumba look ?

Did Cremer bowl well for his 3 or were they gifts ?

Any other info would be appreciated.....

[Kriterion_BD]

I only saw a few of the first overs as I was busy watching the Dhaka Test. I will watch some as I wait for that game to start after eating some dinner.

Yes brown people eat late as fuck.

[Jemisi]

Didn't get to watch any of it so can someone fill me in ?

What's the pitch doing ?

How did Mumba look ?

Did Cremer bowl well for his 3 or were they gifts ?

Any other info would be appreciated.....

Pitch unhelpul for seamers and spinners but not a complete road

Mumba showed promise should have had a wicket first ball. Got taken apart for 20 in one over otherwise was decent

Cremer earned/purchased wickets.

We stuffed a lot of chances and half chances. Hami could have had a couple of poles and won us the middle session but the fielders and Moor cocked it up

We were well beaten on the day but not disgraced

[Googly]

Mumba was ok, not as consistent as he might have been and I was a bit disappointed, hopefully he does a bit better this morning.
Mpofu looked threatening in his last spell.
Cremer bowled fairly well, quite a few deliveries a shade too full. Just think he should bowl a couple more googlies or straight ones. He's a tiny bit too predictable. A couple of soft dismissals. He would be a lot more effective if someone tied up the other end.
PJ's dropped catches were half chances in my view. Tough to take a nick standing up when it deviates a lot. He's not a natural keeper and has got quite hard hands, but is a talented guy. He's been plugging away trying to get a shot for a while and deserves to do well.
Can't figure out if Waller is considered by the captain as a part time spinner or not. He bowled a few loose ones (one took a wicket!).
It's a batting track and our bowling is not looking too threatening. We might be in for a long day. It usually nips in the morning and our seamers need to bend their backs this morning.

[Googly]

We're definitely short a bowler. We're relying on Hammy, Sean and Maru (or Raza) to make up overs.

[Jemisi]

another miss. we are all crying out for a strike bowler, but a clean pair of gloves would have our bowlers looking a lot better